Comments on: May 2009 Mailbag

By: 1SG (RET) J. PASQUALE

1SG (RET) J. PASQUALE — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:29:36 +0000

I respectfully take exception to your solution to CDG 32, Marines at Tarawa. In the excellent book “Utmost Savagery”by COL. J. Alexander USMC (Ret), He cites many examples of what Maj. Ryan did and did not do during the first 2 days at Tarawa. On Page 153 he shows how Maj Ryan informed Col Shoup that by evening he was “pulling back and consolidating his thin lines”. He was critically low an ammo, lacked key infantry wpns. i.e. flamethrowers and demo, and his troops were disorganized all the way down to squad level. Page 182 further shows that his initial attack south down Green Beach did not begin until 1120 HRS. He finally had a plan, and a competent F.O. who could direct Naval gunfire. I place my confidence in Maj Ryan, an ultimate awardee of the Navy Cross for his actions. Thank you.

By: Peter Stephenson

Peter Stephenson — Mon, 25 May 2009 03:49:56 +0000

My son and I are regular readers here in Australia of your informative magazine and in our most recent May 2009 issue I have to concur how important it was to insist that the Zulus be included in any assessment of ‘History’s Greatest Warriors’.
I have spent some time ‘crawling all over’ the great Zulu battlefields of Isandlwana, Rorkes Drift and Kambula in Kwazulu and their brilliant battle tactics made them invincible against other African tribes for over 60 years. It was only firepower that enabled British greed to bring about about their downfall at Ulundi in 1879.
You may like to look in depth at another African leader who successfully battled the Boers and the British, including Cecil Rhodes, for many years. Mzilikazi broke away from the Zulus in Shaka’s time and developed his own tribe, the Matabele, into a great fighting force using similar battle tactics to the Zulus. Based further north in Rhodesia he ‘incorporated’ many tribes into his own and the Matabele earned a fierce reputation over many years among the black and white populations alike.
If you have not done an article on Mzilikazi to date, I believe it would be opportune.
Peter J. Stephenson
Sydney, NSW, Australia

By: ROBERT MOREAU

ROBERT MOREAU — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:24:06 +0000

The May Issue “You Command” Marines at Tarawa 1943. I read on 62 last paragraph beginning with “Thank you…..etc…it states
“Winners will be announced in the September 2009 issue, but those eager toread the historical outcome and analysis can log on to armchairgeneral.com/cdg after April 25, 2009″….. This i did
but nothing was posted (or nothing that I could find on the site), so
I waited a few days and tried again without success. Also tried a
couple other times and again today – but still no link/access. Has
a solution been posted ? and if so what am I missing on locating the
access to it ?? Please advise.
Like other comments I’ve seen FOUR MONTHS FOR THE SOLUTIONS IS FRUSTRATING….ie…May issue I received March
16th and with the solution published in the September issue
estimated delivery date of mid July is too long. This is not a new
concern, it has always been this way. Thanks.

By: Dean Lindeman

Dean Lindeman — Thu, 14 May 2009 03:36:49 +0000

I just received my July, 2009 copy yesterday. Great cover shot of Audie Murphy. Can anybody answer one question though? Why does Audie Murphys’ Bronze Star Medal have a Silver Star Medal pendant? The Bronze Star does not have the wreath surrounding the center star, and both medals plainly have them!

By: Doug Ault

Doug Ault — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:52:20 +0000

I just recieved the May 2009 issue of ACG and as usual I am really enjoying the articles. I have one question and a comment.

On page 19 you show a picture of Stonewall Jackson being cheered by members of the Stonewall Brigade and the caption says its from the summer of 1862. I noticed the picture shows the regiment carrying the Confederate battle flag. When did this flag come into general use? I always thought it was not approved until Spring of 1863 but I often see artwork showing this flag in 1862.

I also wanted to comment on the article about peter the Great. It was a great article but my understanding the battle of Poltava would have been enhanced by a map of the battle.
Thanks for a great magazine. keep up the good work!

By: warren olson

warren olson — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 04:33:28 +0000

Dear Armchair: Very good read! May 2009 page 64

Assuming the role of “IKE”, supreme commander of the allied
forces in western Europe, I would go with the course of action 2.
pincers. Gaining west Germany to the Oder, Berlin & Czechoslovakia before the Red Army moves over the Oder river! Monty can stay at Antwerp & there by reduce heavy losses to his army.

Best regards

warren

By: Dave Dougherty

Dave Dougherty — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 20:08:27 +0000

Did the Japanese in WW II ever have any invasion plans for Australia. Especially,before or just after Pearl Harbor. Thanks